MANILA – Ateneo de Manila University whipped University of the East, 73-56, on Sunday to boost its Final Four bid in the UAAP Season 89 women’s basketball tournament at its homecourt Blue Eagle Gym in Quezon City.
Ateneo improved to a 3-4 win-loss record but remained in sixth place in the standings, keeping its bid for a fifth consecutive semifinal appearance alive.
Kacey Dela Rosa delivered 23 points, 18 rebounds and five assists, while Seng Calago added 22 points, 15 rebounds and five assists.
“Kailangan talaga mag-lock in dahil last year na namin. Kaya, kailangan talaga i-push 100 percent kung kaya. Goal namin muna ‘yung Final Four bago ‘yung championship (We really need to lock in because it’s our final year. So, we have to push 100 percent if we can. Our first goal is the Final Four, before we aim for the championship),” Calago said.
Hannah Lopez chipped in 12 points and three rebounds for Ateneo, which held a slim 37-34 lead at halftime.
“At halftime, I talked to the girls about how our discipline in one-on-one defense was clearly missing in the first half. So, in the second half, we just made it difficult for them to get past us,” Ateneo coach PJ Navarro said.
Kezza Buscar led UE with 18 points, while Moana Vacalares contributed 15 points, seven rebounds and six assists as the Lady Warriors absorbed their seventh loss.
Ateneo will face National University at noon, while UE takes on De La Salle University at 8 a.m. on Oct. 28 at Smart Araneta Coliseum.
In the U16 boys’ division, De La Salle Zobel defeated UE, 89-80.
Rye Villaruz scored 26 points on 10-of-19 shooting, along with eight rebounds and three steals, as the Junior Archers remained third with a 7-3 record.
Enzo Purugganan chipped in 14 points, while Miko Noel added 12 points and five rebounds.
De La Salle Zobel will face Adamson at 3 p.m. on Oct. 29, also at the Blue Eagle Gym. (Jean Malanum/PNA)
